Most truly all-natural skincare products, including nearly all of the ones I create, are anhydrous, which simply means they are made without water. Instead, they are crafted from nourishing ingredients like plant oils, rich butters, natural waxes, and oil-soluble botanical extracts.
Examples of anhydrous products are those called "Balms" or "Oils," like my Triple Butter Body Balm, Eye Balm, Body Oil, and face oils such as the Bakuchiol 1% Face Serum. These formulas are simple, concentrated, and deeply nourishing for the skin.
So why leave water out? Once water is introduced into a skincare formula, it creates the perfect environment for microorganisms, including bacteria, mold, and yeast, to grow. In fact, without protection, this growth can begin in just days or weeks. Because of this, any product containing water must also include a preservative to keep the product safe for use.
Most preservatives are synthetic rather than natural, which means the final product can no longer be labeled “all-natural.” That said, it’s important to remember that preservatives are not inherently bad. Many modern preservatives are carefully formulated to be clean, gentle, and free of harmful chemicals or irritants. So while a product may not be completely natural, it can still be safe, thoughtfully formulated, and skin-friendly.
The Difference Between Hydrating and Moisturizing
Products that contain water are designed to directly hydrate the skin, delivering water into the skin’s surface.
Anhydrous products, on the other hand - like balms and oils - work a little differently. Rather than adding water to the skin, they act as emollients and protectors, softening the skin and helping to lock in moisture so it can’t easily evaporate.
But that raises an interesting question…
Where does that moisture come from?
The Simple Trick To Elevate Your All-Natural Skincare Routine
Here’s a little secret that can completely transform how your skin feels:
Apply anhydrous products (i.e. balms and oils) to damp skin.
Body oils and balms are most effective right after stepping out of the shower, when your skin is still slightly damp. The same goes for face oils and balms. Apply them after washing your face while your skin still holds a bit of moisture.
If you apply oils or balms to completely dry skin, there is very little moisture present for them to seal in. But when you apply them to damp skin, something magical happens. The water on your skin becomes the hydration source, and the oils and butters create a protective barrier that locks that moisture in, leaving skin soft, smooth, and deeply nourished.
There’s another benefit, too: oils and balms glide beautifully across damp skin, allowing you to use less product while covering more area. This also helps the product feel lighter and less greasy.
VERY IMPORTANT TIP: Just make sure when scooping a balm out of its container, your hands are dry, so you don't introduce water into the container which will lead to spoilage of the product.
A Note About My Formulations
Most of my products are anhydrous, allowing them to remain simple, concentrated, and all-natural.
A few products do contain water and therefore include carefully selected preservatives. These preservatives are:
-
Paraben-free
-
Free of formaldehyde-releasing ingredients
-
COSMOS-approved
COSMOS approval means they meet strict standards for being safe, effective, non-toxic, gentle on the skin, not tested on animals, and environmentally responsible, including biodegradability and sustainability.
A Helpful Ingredient Tip
The next time you pick up a skincare product - whether it’s one of mine, from another small-batch maker, or from a store - take a moment to look at the ingredient list. (Fun Fact: it’s a legal requirement that all body care products list their ingredients in order of the percentage used in the formula, from highest to lowest.)
-
If water appears in the ingredient list, the product is designed to hydrate the skin.
-
If water is not listed, the product is anhydrous and designed to soften and seal in moisture.
And if it’s an anhydrous balm or oil, just remember the secret to unlocking its full potential:
✨ Apply it to damp skin and let the magic happen. ✨